Breastfeeding Practices Among South African Women: A Pilot Study

Jennifer N. Rivera1 , Tanisha Basu1, Marqui L. Benivides1, Shera Thomas Jackson2 (PhD), Wilna Oldewage-Theron1 (PhD)
1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University (TTU), USA
2Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University (TTU), USA

Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) supports and
encourages Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six
months of life, followed by sustained breastfeeding up to two
years with age-appropriate complementary feeding1. Human
milk is the first point of contact the child has with the food
system and is a significant source of all vital macro and micro-
nutrients as well as bioactive molecules that are important for
gut microbiota and immune system development2. The benefits
of human milk include optimal physical growth and
neurodevelopment, as well as potential protection from
allergies and non-communicable diseases in later life2,3.
However, the most recent South African Demographic and
Health Survey (SADHS) (2016) found only 32% of infants
under the age of 6 months were exclusively breastfed4.

Objective
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine
the socio-demographic, economic profile, food security
status, and breastfeeding practices to better understand the
current barriers to EBF in SA.

Methods and Data Analysis

• Cross-sectional design was used
• Study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review
Board of TTU (IRB 2018 - 411), the Department of
Health, Free State Province, SA and the Health Sciences
Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Free Conclusions & Recommendations
State, SA (UFS-HSD2019/1029/2502) The results of this study point to barriers to breastfeeding for the two year
• Measurements were done during October 2018 and recommended period despite good internal motivation and socio-economic
October 2019 and included: Demographic variables, status. More research is needed in a larger sample size to understand the
health5, breast feeding self-efficacy, and food security barriers to EBF in SA to plan and implement appropriate interventions for
and coping strategies using the The Community lactating women.
Childhood Hunger Identification Project (CCHIP)7 index.
• Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS, version 26.0 and Global Impact of this Study
p<0.05 considered significant. The results of this study can pave the way for similar studies in other
-Linearity regression was used to test all continuous developing countries which can in turn result in tailor made breastfeeding
variables for normality. intervention programs within specific communities that can help children
-Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and receive EBF that is prescribed by WHO. This will ensure that children across
frequencies) were used to categorize the food insecurity7. the globe will receive all the vital nutrients responsible for their physical and
immunological development in the formative years of their lives, while
Results lowering complications and morbidity.
The majority of the women were white (82.4%), married
(97.0%), and employed (75.0%) with a tertiary education Acknowledgements
(64.7%). The majority of respondents (62.0%) had a The study participants and fieldworkers for data collection.
household income of >$2,759 and 91.4% were food secure.
Although the mean dietary diversity score (5.43 ± 1.87)
indicated dietary nutrient adequacy, the food group References
diversity scores (FGDS) ranged between a low of 0.03 for 1.United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Office of Research-Innocenti. (2018). The first 1,000 days of life: The brain’s window of opportunity. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-
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Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project, Academy for Educational Development.